Agricultural Mechanisation & Technical Specialist job at GOAL

Programme Background

The Agrifood System Transformation for Youth Employment (ASTYE) Uganda program

ASTYE is a 5-year transformative initiative designed to enable dignified and fulfilling work opportunities primarily for financially disadvantaged young women, refugees, and vulnerable groups by addressing structural barriers in Uganda's Agrifood system. Aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the National Development Plan and Government of Uganda Agriculture Value Chain Development Strategy, the program will contribute to national efforts toward poverty alleviation, economic growth, as well food and nutrition security. Additionally, ASTYE is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy in Uganda, which aims to empower 4.3 million young Ugandans, particularly young women, by addressing structural barriers to employment and providing them with the skills and resources to succeed.

Specifically, GOAL will implement component one to reach 500,000 financially disadvantaged young people, with 400,000 transiting into work and 320,000 securing dignified and fulfilling work. As the program is young women-centric, 80% of the total outreach target will be young women within Uganda's agrifood ecosystem. Furthermore, 3% of the total youth in work target will be refugees, and another 3% will be people with disabilities.

Job summary

The Agricultural Mechanisation and Technical Specialist will lead the promotion, deployment, and capacity building around labor-saving, gender-responsive agricultural technologies, mechanization services, irrigation systems, post-harvest equipment, and digital advisory tools to enhance productivity, climate resilience, and decent work opportunities for young women under the ASTYE Programme.

To be successful in this role, you will need:

Essential

• Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture & Rural innovations, Agri-business, Agricultural Extension & Rural Innovation.
• At least 5 years’ experience in Agricultural mechanization, irrigation systems, PHH technologies, or rural service delivery.
• Knowledge of climate-smart technologies and digital agriculture tools.

Desirable

• Experience working with women-focused and youth employment programs is a strong advantage.
• Practical experience in training farmers and service providers on equipment use and maintenance.
• Strong coordination and field facilitation skills.

• Support identification, due diligence, and partnership development with on-farm and off-farm technology and equipment suppliers.
• Co-design inclusive business models with private sector partners to expand access to labor-saving technologies for young women.
• Coordinate establishment of on-farm and community-level demonstrations for mechanization and equipment.
• Support distribution of subsidized labor-saving technologies to vulnerable young women.
• Work with private sector actors to train young women, Private Service Providers (PSPs), and village agents on technology utilization, routine maintenance, and basic repairs.
• Support the Private Sector Actors (PSAs) on development of training materials on mechanization, equipment safety, and agrochemical handling.
• Support design and implementation of micro-irrigation subsidy schemes for young women farmers.
• Coordinate partnerships with irrigation suppliers and support uptake of efficient irrigation technologies.
• Train young women groups on water use efficiency and climate-resilient production systems.
• Support partnerships with post-harvest handling (PHH) and storage solution providers.
• Coordinate training and demonstrations on hermetic storage, drying technologies, and on-farm storage solutions.
• Support last-mile distribution of post-harvest handling (PHH) technologies through agent networks.
• Work with the onboarded PSA on technology to support integration of tools for weather information, market prices, and advisory services.
• Coordinate training of young women and agents on interpretation and use of weather and early warning information.
• Support strengthening of community-based early warning systems in collaboration with public and private actors.
• Provide technical backstopping to PSA partners, youth agents, and service providers.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to ensure quality installation, use, and maintenance of technologies.
• Support documentation of technical performance, lessons learned, and innovations.
• Develop and implement simple tools for tracking technology distribution, utilization, and performance.
• Maintain accurate records of participants, partners, demonstrations, and training activities.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits and prepare clear monitoring reports.
• Document success stories, case studies, lessons learned, and innovations.
• Contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual technical reports.
• Support data collection for program performance indicators and impact measurement.
• Ensure compliance with donor and organizational reporting requirements.
• Contribute to development and periodic review of the agricultural mechanization and technology strategy for the ASTYE Programme.
• Identify emerging sector trends, innovations, and market opportunities in mechanization, irrigation, PHH, and digital agriculture.
• Provide technical input into annual work plans, budgets, and operational plans.
• Support development of partnerships and engagement strategies with private sector, government, and financial institutions.
• Advise management on policy and regulatory issues affecting agricultural mechanization and youth employment.
• Provide technical guidance and day-to-day supervision to Program Officers and field staff.
• Support Program Officers in planning, implementation, and reporting of activities.
• Conduct regular performance check-ins and mentorship sessions.
• Review field reports and provide feedback to ensure quality and accuracy.
• Build capacity of team members on mechanization, irrigation, PHH technologies, and monitoring systems.
• Promote teamwork, accountability, and adherence to program standards and timelines.

• Knowledge of climate-smart technologies and digital agriculture tools.
• Practical experience in training farmers and service providers on equipment use and maintenance.
• Strong coordination and field facilitation skills.

• Post Graduate Diploma in Agriculture & Rural innovations, Agri-business, Agricultural Extension & Rural Innovation.